Rod Whiting
@rod-whiting.bsky.social
Journalist & Broadcaster (@BoomRadioUK) | Comms coach | Military roots | @RUSI member Writing about defence, geopolitics and media at Fault Lines (https://rodwhiting.substack.com). Once certain about everything. Doubt now keeps me better company.
How do we reconnect with communities who feel given up on? It’s a question I asked social strategist Steven Lacey, and it’s sparked one of the warmest conversations we’ve had on Fault Lines. youtu.be/jAGamK2bOKk
Restoring Hope to Britain - with Steven Lacey
YouTube video by Fault Lines With Rod Whiting
youtu.be
Russia doesn’t need tanks on Whitehall to weaken the West. Major General Tim Cross argues that modern conflict is increasingly fought through cyber-attacks, disinformation, and subversion. The battle for truth has become a major national security issue👇 www.buzzsprout.com/2610460/epis...
A strange thing happened this morning - I turned on the radio and heard a politician with vision. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it at first…it’s been a while.
Liam Thorp@liamthorp.bsky.social · 5mo agoThis was the welcome for Andy Burnham in Makerfield this morning after his stunning by-election victory
Defence isn’t just about tanks, ships, and aircraft. Major General Tim Cross CBE argues that resilience also depends on leadership, national resolve, and our ability to withstand disinformation. A fascinating conversation for my latest Fault Lines podcast👇 www.buzzsprout.com/2610460/epis...
One can imagine the heated conversations inside Number 10 as public anger erupted over suggestions Britain was quietly easing Russian oil sanctions. Muddled comms, yes, but reality bites. My latest Fault Lines piece: open.substack.com/pub/rodwhiti...?
Britain’s revolving-door politics may be becoming a national vulnerability. At a time of economic fragility, geopolitical instability, and information warfare, the country seems trapped in permanent political psychodrama. New Fault Lines piece here: 👇 rodwhiting.substack.com/p/make-it-st...
Modern conflict doesn’t always begin with missiles. Edward Lucas argues Britain has spent too long assuming the threats facing us were theoretical - and that complacency is becoming dangerous. Full Fault Lines episode here: 👇 open.substack.com/pub/rodwhiti...?
How prepared is Britain for serious disruption? @thetimes.com columnist @edwardlucas.bsky.social has a pretty blunt answer to that question in our conversation on Fault Lines. It’s a sobering - but necessary - listen. Here: 👇 open.substack.com/pub/rodwhiti...?
“We are caught with our pants down.” @thetimes.com columnist @edwardlucas.bsky.social doesn’t hold back on Britain’s security and resilience in my Fault Lines conversation. 🎧 Listen here: 👇https://open.substack.com/pub/rodwhiting/p/caught-with-our-pants-down-britains?
There’s a real opportunity here. Instead of letting these places decay, reimagine them as proper mixed-use communities - homes, healthcare, leisure, education, even local policing - all under one roof. Far better than leaving behind vast, empty monuments to a retail model that’s run its course.
America is giving dying mall vibes
On the dangers of social and political nostalgia.
karenattiah.substack.com
Karen Attiah@karenattiah.bsky.social · 7mo agoMy latest. America is giving dying mall vibes. open.substack.com/pub/karenatt...
Absolutely this. When the present feels a bit jagged, people reach for something familiar and reassuring. That pull towards the past isn’t accidental - it’s comfort, identity, even a bit of quiet escape. No surprise radio stations like @boomradio.co.uk are finding their moment.
Rick@flipchartrick.bsky.social · 7mo ago“The dominant cultural and political force in our country right now is nostalgia.” (It’s the same in the UK.) Great read by @karenattiah.bsky.social
This chart on “food self-sufficiency” is doing the rounds - with the UK flagged as vulnerable. It’s interesting but needs unpacking…🧵
Hybrid conflict isn’t something that might happen - it’s happening now, often below the level of public awareness. In this clip, @samolsen.bsky.social explains how the UK is already being targeted by activity that rarely makes the headlines. Full conversation: 👇 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f...
I fear that the general US population still isn’t aware of how much permanent damage Trump 2.0 is doing to the reputation and trade flows of the US. Trump keeps pushing everyone (including traditional allies) in the arms of China.
We’ve become used to a stable world. That assumption is shifting - quickly. The instinct is to switch off and think: what can I actually do? A short moment from my conversation with @samolsenx on Fault Lines. 👇 open.substack.com/pub/rodwhiti...?
We tend to think of threats to the UK in terms of tanks and missiles. This is something else entirely. Conversation with @samolsen.bsky.social 🎧 Full episode: 👇 open.substack.com/pub/rodwhiti...?
We got comfortable in a predictable world. Suddenly, it feels more chaotic, more dangerous. But what if this is the norm? Hence, my new podcast - Fault Lines. First episode with @samolsen.bsky.social on security, resilience, and what’s really driving the change. www.buzzsprout.com/2610460/epis...
Britain’s Security Reality: What Are We Facing - and Are We Prepared? - Fault Lines
In the first episode of Fault Lines, Rod Whiting speaks to former British Army intelligence officer Sam Olsen about Britain’s changing threat landscape, the erosion of resilience, and why security is ...
buzzsprout.com
Credit to JD Vance for enabling the defeat of Victor Orban in the Hungary elections. The law of unintended consequences seems to be a reoccurring issue for the current US administration.
Bluesky feels well suited to thoughtful discussion about defence and strategy. My latest Fault Lines piece looks at the fading myth of the “Special Relationship” and what the current crisis reveals about Britain’s defence posture. Trump’s Gift to Britain
Good for Sam Altman. Nothing good can come from Musk owning X and the world's leading AI programme. Rupert Murdoch weaponized information; Musk would weaponize intelligence itself. Suddenly, old-school media moguls start looking quaint. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Elon Musk-led group makes surprise bid of nearly $100bn for OpenAI
Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO and co-founder, responded that he would not accept and offered to buy X instead
theguardian.com
Delighted my 'Loving Your Garden' podcast has reached another milestone. It's a humble hobby site but we have some amazing guests. Here's a Link to our latest episode with Cut Flower Farmer Roz Chandler but take a look back at previous episodes for a topic to suit: www.buzzsprout.com/1904093/epis...
It's likely no coincidence that the observed collapse of editorial standards in recent years corresponds to the rise of Social media. Until we learn to tame this beast (we will), we'll have to continue to endure absurdities like this. apple.news/AehSxVMmRQIy...
Elon Musk’s father believes ‘good chance’ Tommy Robinson will become prime minister — The Independent
Elon Musk’s father believes there is a “good chance” Tommy Robinson will become prime minister.
apple.news
“‘Not every editorial judgment is a reflection of a malign force,’ [The Post’s opinions editor David] Shipley said in [a] statement.” (ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛᴏʀ: ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ *ɴᴏᴛ* ᴀ ᴘᴀʀᴛɪᴄᴜʟᴀʀʟʏ ʀᴇᴀꜱꜱᴜʀɪɴɢ ᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴀʏ.) www.nytimes.com/2025/01/03/b...
Washington Post Cartoonist Quits After Jeff Bezos Cartoon Is Killed (Gift Article)
The cartoon, by Ann Telnaes, depicted the owner of The Post, Jeff Bezos, and other billionaires genuflecting toward a statue of President-elect Donald Trump.
nytimes.com
Loving my early Christmas present from @boomradio.co.uk - about to make its debut - although the small print on the box is troubling: '... for presenters who have a face for radio' 🤔
A sad story but Rachel’s final letter is wonderful and a lesson for us all. apple.news/Ah3IKRy9UTgC...
Woman, 40, denied cancer drug announces her death — BBC News
Rachel Davies could not access the life-extending drug because it is not available in Wales.
apple.news
Understandable angst over jobs but entirely right to review #defence projects in light of lessons learned from #UkraineRussiaWar, especially game-changing drone tech. www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
Thousands of jobs in doubt over military helicopter contract
Nearly 3,000 roles at a factory in Somerset may be at risk if ministers do not press ahead with procurement plans
telegraph.co.uk
